Joint Types

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Structural Classification

• Synarthrosis (fibrous or amphiarthrosis)
• Diarthrosis (synovial joints)

Synarthrosis (Fibrous)

Characteristics:

• Bones held together by dense, irregular connective tissue.
• Little or no movement.
• Transmits and disperses forces between bones.

Examples:

• Skull sutures
• Teeth
• Distal tib/fib
• Interosseus membranes (Forearm, leg)

Synarthosis (amphiarthrosis/cartilaginous)

Characteristics:

• Bones held together by fibrocartilage or hyaline cartilage.
• Allow restrained movement
• Absorbs, transmits, & disperses forces.

Examples:

• Spine interbody joint
• Pubic symphysis

Diarthrosis: Synovial

Characteristics:

• Fluid‐filled joint cavity between bones.
• “Synovial Joints” – presence of synovial membrane.
• Designed for movement!

Examples:

• Majority of Upper and Lower extremity joints.

“7 features”

1. Synovial Fluid
2. Articular cartilage
3. Articular capsule
4. Synovial membrane
5. Capsular ligaments
6. Blood vessels
7. Sensory nerves

Mechanical Classification

Mechanical Classifications only apply to synovial joints. Read more about Synovial joint mechanical classifications.